T 
a:.iekican chronology, 



'1 



fro:m 



THE DISCOVERY 

<5f the western world^ 

TILI, 

MAY 3, 1814. 






BY THOMAS CLARK, 

Author of the Naval History of the United Stale 



PHIL A DE LP HI A . 
PtBLISHED BY M. CARET 

A. SMALL, PRINTEI?. 



1814, 



District of Pennsylvmiia. to wit : 

Be it RE3IEMBERED, That on the seventh 
day of May, in the thirty-eighth year of 
the Independence of the United States 
of America, A. D. 1814, Mathew Carey, 
[L. S.] of the ^aid district* hath deposited in 
this Office, the title of a Book, the right 
whereof he claims as Proprietor, in the 
words following, to wit : 
'' American Chronology, from the Discovery 
" of the Western World, till May 3, 1814. 
** By Thomas Clark, Author of the Naval 
"History of the United States." 
In conformity to the Act of the Congress of 
the United States, entitled, " An act for the 
encouragement of learning, by securing the co- 
pies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors 
and proprietors of such copies during the times 
tlierein mentioned." And also to the Act, enti- 
tled, " An act supplem.entary to an act, entitled, 
•* An act for the encouragement of learning, by 
securing the copies of maps, charts and books,. 
t« the authors and proprietors of such copies 
during the time therein mentioned," and ex- 
tending the benefits thereof to the arts of de- 
sigjning, engraving, and etching historical and 
other prints." 'Oi^ D. CALDWELL, 

Clerk of the District of Pennsylvania:, 



*/ 



vX"^ 



.^' 






CM 
PREFACE. 



^ This work is respectfully submit- 
ted to the public, as an attempt to col- 
lect, in a small compass, the most im- 
portant events in the history of this 
liountry, in chronological order, for oc- 
casional reference. 

I 

' Great pains have been taken to 
rendei' it perfect. But in all first at- 
tempts, it is extremely difficult to avoid 
prrors and deficiencies. To such in- 
stances of either as may appear, the 
jiditcr hopes the indulgence of the rea- 
ller will be extended. 

May ^ ±81^. 




AMERICAN CHRONOLOGY. 



1492 COLUMBUS discovers America. 
1498 North America discovered by Cabot. 
1535 The French sail up the St. Lawrence river 
as far as Montreal. 

1584 The coast of Virginia discovered, under the 
direction of Sir Walter Raleigh. 

1585 The first colony sent by the English to 
America, to settle Virginia. The attempt 
failed of success. 

1587 A second colony sent to Virginia by Sir 
Walter Raleigh, but did not succeed in mak- 
ing a permanent settlement. 

1606 Letters patent granted to Sir Thomas 
Gates and others, for establishing a colony 
in the part of North America, then called 
Virginia. 

1607 The first permanent colony settled in Vir- 
ginia, by John Smith and others. 

— — An unsuccessful attempt made to settle 
Main, by Gilbert. 

1608 Smith explores the Chesapeake bay. 
Quebec founded by the French. . 

1609 New York discoveifcid by Henry Hudson. . 

B 



1610 Lord Delaware arrives in Virginia, and re- 
establishes the affairs of the Colony. On his 
passag'e he discovers the Delaware bay. 

1613 The first hostilities between the French 
and English colonies, in which the English 
destroyed the French settlenaents in Acadie. 

- The Dutch settlement, on Hudson river, 
submits to the governor of Virginia. 

1614 A new governor having arrived, at the 
Dutch settlement on the Hudson river, re- 
fuses to acknowledge the surrender made by 
liis predecessor to the English. He builds a 
fort where the city of New York now stands. 
The country governed by him was called 
New Netherlands 

' John Smith explores the coast of New Eng- 
land. 

1615 Private landed property first permitted to 
be held in Virginia. 

1616 Tobacco first cultivated in Virginia. 

1619 Convicts first sent to Virginia as servants. 

^ The first colonial Assembly of Virginia, 

meet at James Town. 

2620 Girls sent to the Virginia colonists for 
wives. Each man purchased his wife for 
one hundred pounds of Tobacco. 

^ New England settled by a colony of Eng- 
lish puritans, from Holland. 

.1621 First patents obtained by the settlers of 
New England. 

The first negroes imported into Virginia. 

Tobacco and other colonial produce prohi- 

bited from being exported to foreign coun- 
tries until landed in England, and the cus- 
tom paid. . . r. I. 

1632 Magsacre cf the English in Virginia by tlie 



^ 



Indians, in v/hich three hundred and fortjr 
seven persons were put to death, in one 
hour. 

1623 The Dutch take possession of the Delaware, 
and construct fort Nassau on the Jersey 
shore, about three miles below the place 
now occupied by Philadelphia- 

- The first litexary production by an English 
colonist in America ; being a translation of 
Ovid's Metamorphoses, by George Sandys, 
treasurer of the Virginia company. 

Forty-four dollars for a hogshead of meal, 

144 dollars for a hen and eight chickens, 
paid in Virginia. 

Albany, in New York, founded. 

1624 Charter of Virginia vacated. 

1627 The Swedes settle along the Delaware. 

New-Castle, in Delaware, founded. 

1628 Salem, in Massachusetts, founded. 

1629 Quebec surrenders to the English. 

Charlestown, in Massachusetts, founded. 

1630 Boston founded ; where the first general 
court of Massachusetts was held. 

Patents granted in New Hampshire. 

- Grant of Carolina to Sir Itobert Heath. 

■ York, in the district of Maine, founded. 

1631 Original patent of Connecticut granted. 

■ The Swedes build fort Christiana and set- 
tle round it. 

1632 Nova Scotia and Canada restored to France. 
Patent of Maryland granted to Lord Balti- 
more. 

- Magistrates first chosen by the freemen 
of the colony of Massachusetts. 

1633 The first house erected in Connecticut. 

1634 Maryland settled by Lord Baltimore. 

1635 New Hampslxire granted to Mason. 



1635 Maine granted to Georges. 

Providence plantation begun by Roger 

Williams. 

1636 The towns of Springfield, Hartford, and 
Weathersfield, founded by the Connecticut 
colony. 

1637 War in New England with the Pequot In- 
dians, who are conquered. 

. New Haven colony established. 

The town of Exeter in New-Hampshire, 

founded. 

1638 Harvard College, in New England, founded. 

The ancient and honourable artillery com- 
pany of Boston formed. 

New Haven, in Connecticut, founded. 

1639 The constitution of Connecticut formed. 

Newport, in Rhode Island, founded. 

The first printing press, in North America, 

established at Cambridge. 

Sir William Berkeley appointed governor 

of Virginia. 

1640 Long Island, settled by Englishmen. 

1641 Massachusetts, assumes the governm.ent of 
New Hampshire, 

1642 An Indian war commences in Maryland. 

1643 First union of the New England colonies, 
styled the United Colonies of New England. 

1644 Patent obtained from parliament for the 
incorporation of Rhode Island. 

1645 Clyborne and Ingle raise a rebellion in 
Maryland, and force Calvert the governor 
to take refuge in Virginia. 

1646 Battle between the Dutch and Indians. 

1647 First general assembly of Rhode Island meet. 

1648 First execution for witchcraft in New 
England. 

1649 The assembly of Maryland passes an act 



for the toleration of all christian religions. 
This was the first act of religious toleration 
in America. 

1650 Constitution of Maryland formed. 

■■ Virginia, for remaining firm in her attach- 
ment to the royal interest, is restrained in her 
trade by the parliament, and Sir George 
Ayscue sent to force her to submission ; 
which, after some opposition, he eflfects. 

1652 Money coined in New England. 

1654 The government of Maryland seized by 
Cromwell. 

1655 Colonel Wood, of Virginia, explores the 
Ohio river. 

— The Swedes are driven from the Delaware 
by the Dutch. 

1656 New York laid out. 

1659 Charles II. is proclaimed King by the colo- 
ny of Virginia, before he obtains possession 
of the crown of England. 

1660 The number of inhabitants in Virg^lnia, 
about this time, amounted to thirty thousand. 

1661 The New Testament translated into the 
Indian language, and printed. The Bible 
was completed about three years afterwards. 

1662 The charter of Connecticut granted by 
Charles II. which still continues to be her 
constitution of government. 

1662 The government of Maryland restored to 
lord Baltimore. 

1663 Carolina granted to the earl of Clarendon 
and others. Previous to this a settlement 
had been made, by emigrants from Massa- 
chusetts, round cape Fear. 

-— - The colonies prohibited the importation of 
all goods but such a,'^ were shipped in Eng^- 
land. 



i 



10 



1663 Charles II. confers a charter on Rhode 
Island and Providence plantations. 

1664 New Jersey granted to lord Berkeley and 
Sir George Carteret. 

New Amsterdam taken from the Dutch by 

the English, and called New York. 

All the New Netherlands conquered by the 

English. 

1665 The colonies of New Haven and Connecti- 
cut were this year united. 

The militia of Massachusetts amounted to 

four thousand foot, and four hundred horse. 
' The English inhabitants of Maryland, at 
this time, amounted to sixteen thousand. 

1666 An act passed by the assembly of Mary- 
land for the naturalization of aliens. It was 
tl)e first of the kind passed by any English 
colony in America. 

1668 The government of Maine resumed by 
Massachusetts. 

1669 Acadie delivered up to the French. 

The fundamental constitutions, compiled 

by Locke, established in Carolina. 

16^0 A colony sent to Carolina, under the go- 
vernment of William Sayle. 

1671 The inhabitants of Virginia amounted to 
40,000. 

— — No printing offices nor free schools allowed 
in Virginia. 

167^ Restrictive duties laid, by the parliament 
of England, on the commerce of the Ameri- 
can colonies. 

An attempt made by the Spaniards on Caro- 
lina, but, being repulsed, they were forced 
to retreat out of the country. 

1673 The Dutch reconquer the New Netherlands. 



IV 



1673 New England, about this time, is supposed 
to have contained one hundred and twenty- 
thousand inhabitants. 

- The town of Boston contained fifteen hun- 
dred families. 

The French build a fort at Michilimacki- 

nac. 

Persons sent from Canada discover the 

Mississippi river, which they descend near- 
ly to the g-ulf of Mexico. 

1674 The fieemen of Carolina elect representa- 
tives, who constituted the first parliament 
of the colony 

- By the treaty between England and Holland, 
the New Netherlands are restored to Eng- 
land. 

1675 The colony of Virginia contained fifty thou- 
sand inhabitants 

— ^ The commencement of the wars, in New 
England, with the Indian king Philip. 

1676 An end is put to the war, by king Philip, 
being killed in an engagement. 

Bacon's rebellion in Virginia. 

1677 Maine bought by Massachussetts. 

Burlington in New Jersey settled, and the 

town laid out. 

Culpepper's insurrection in Carolina. 

1678 The province of New York, at this time, 
contained two thousand militia. 

There were in the city of New York 343 

houses, and 3430 inhabitants. 

1679 A terrible fire consumes a great part of 
Boston. 

1680 New Hampshire separates from Massa- 
chusetts. Its first assembly meet at Ports- 
mouth. 



12 



1680 Twenty-six townships settled in Connect!- 
cut. 

The number of militia in Connecticut 

amounted to 2507. 

—The militia of Virginia amounted to 8568. 
—Charleston, the capital of south Carolina, 
founded. 

1681 Grant of Pennsylv^ania to William Penn. 

First colony arrives in Pennsylvania. 

1682 Carteret transfers his right of New Jersey 
to William Penn and eleven associates, who 
conveyed one half of their interest to the 
earl of Perth and eleven others. 

- William Penn arrives in America and lands 
at New Castle. 

The city of Philadelphia laid out. 

M. Sale takes possession of Louisiana. 

1683 The first Assembly of Pennsylvania, held 
at Philadelphia. 

First legislative assembly in New York. 

Quo w^arranto issued against the charter of 

Massachusetts. 

No printing press allowed inTirginia on any 

occasion, 
i 684 Massachusetts deprived of its charter. 
-=— Philadelphia contained three hundred 

houses and two thousand inhabitants. 

- The partition line between New York and 
Connecticut run. 

1685 Quo warranto issued against Connecticut, 
and against Rhode Island. 

" The first Postmaster in New England ap- 
pointed. 

1686 The governors of New York and New Eng- 
land instructed, to prohibit the establish- 
ment of printing presses. 



13 



1687 Andros is appointed governor general of 
New England. He demands the charter of 
Connecticut, but does not succeed in obtain- 
ing possession of it. 

The first printing press established in Phila- 
delphia. 
> Fort at Niagara erected by the French. 

1688 New Jersey and New York, with the New 
England colonies, put under the same go- 
vernor. 

1689 Andros, governor of New England, seized 
and imprisoned by the people, who reinstate 
the old magistrates. 

1689 The fort of New York seized by the popu- 
lace headed by Leisler, who usurps the go- 
vernment. 

1690 Port Royal taken from the French by Sir 
William Phips. 

Fort Salmon, in New Hampshire destroyed 

by the French. The town of Schenectady, 
in New York, surprised, and the greater part 
of its inhabitants murdered by the French 
and Indians. 

- Canada invaded from New England, and an 
ineffectual attempt made against Quebec. 

First paper money in the colonies issued by 

the government of Massachusetts. 

— ^Setli Sothel usurps the government of Caro- 
lina. 

1691 Colonel Sloughter appointed governor of 
New York. He overcomes Leisler, who is 
condemned, and executed. 

William and Mary college, in Virginia^ 

founded. 

1692 Massachusetts obtains a new charter, whiph 
includes the colony of Plymouth, the JS^-* 



14 



vince of Maine and Nova Scotia in its go- 
vernment. 

1692 Many people in New England tried and ex- 
ecuted for AVitchcraft. 

Rhode Island and Connecticut are allowed 

to resume their old charters. 

Great flood in the Delaware river. 

1693 Locke's fundamental constitution of Caroli- 
na abrogated. 

The g'overnment of Pennsylvania assumed 

by the king and queen of England. 

1694 The government of Pennsylvania restored 
to William Penn. 

1695 Rice introduced into Carolina. 

1696 Pemaquid taken by the French. 

' The city of New York contained five hun- 
dred and ninety four houses, and six thou- 
sand inhabitants. 

The winter this year was severer than any 

since the settlement of the country. A 
great scarcity of food also took place. 

1699 A number of people died in Philadelphia 
of the Yellow fever. 

1700 Boston at this time, contained one thou- 
sand houses, and seven thousand inhabi- 
tants. 

The white inhabitants of Carolina amount- 
ed to 53500. 

1701 In the English colonies of North America, 
the number of inhabitants amounted to 262, 
000. 

1702 An unsuccessful attempt made by the go- 
vernor of Virginia against St. Augustine. 

. East and West-Jersey united under one go- 
vernment. 



15 



1703 A separation takes place between Penn- 
sylvania and the counties of Delaware. 

1704 Deerfield in Massachusetts destroyed by 
the French and Indians. 

1704 The first Newspaper published in Ameri- 
ca, called the Boston News -Letter. 

1706 The Spaniards and French invade Caroli- 
na, but are repulsed. 

Benjamin Franklin born at Boston. 

1707 An unsuccessful expedition, sent from New 
England, against Port Royal, in Acadia. 

1701 The French and Indians invade New Eng- 
land, and surprise Haverhill. 

1710 Port Royal taken from the French. 

1711 An expedition against Canada projectedby 
the colonies; but it proves disastrous. 

1712 War with the Indians, hi N. Carolina, in 
which they are defeated. 

- Albany contained four thousand inhabi- 
tants. 

1713 Boundaries between Massachusetts and 
Connecticut settled. 

1715 Indian war in S. Carolina. 

1717 New Orleans founded. 

1718 William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, 
died, aged seventy-four years. 

Louisiana settled by the French. 

1719 The people of Carolina throw off the pro- 
prietory government. 

An act passed by the legislature of Massa- 
chusetts for the suppression of lotteries. 

1719 The first Newspaper printed in Philadel- 
phia, called, the American Weekly Mercu- 
ry. 
720 The Boston Gazette the second newspaper 
published in Boston, commenced this year. 



1 



iJlfl.* i-iik-*- 



16 



1/20 Tea first used in New England, about this 

time. 
1722 Massachusetts contained upwards of 94, 

000 inhabitants. 
I!r23 First paper bills issued by the government 

of Pennsylvania. 
1724 Trenton, in New Jersey, founded. 

The first settlement made in the state of 

Vermont. 

1728 A great Hurricane at Charleston, which also 
th is year was visited by the Yellow fever. 

1730 The inhabitants of Rhode Island amount to 
seventeen thousand. 

- The Natchez Indians extirpated by the 
French. 

1731 Philadelphia contained 2,400 houses, and 
12,000 inhabitants. 

The French erect a fort at Crown Point, in 

the territories of New York. 

1732 The settlement of Georgia is projected, 
and a charter obtained from king George the 
second. Savannah is founded. 

Princeton, in New Jersey, founded. 

- Tobacco and Indian corn made a legal ten- 
der for debt, by the legislature of JNIary- 
land. 

- The inhabitants of Pennsylvania amounted 
to thirty thousand. 

New York colony contained 60,000 people. 

George Washington born. 

1733 James Oglethorpe settles a colony in Geor- 
gia. 

1736 The entrances at the port of Philadelphia 
this year, were 211 sail; the clearances 215. 
The entrances at the port of New York were 
211 sail; the clearances 220. 



17 



1738 An insurrection of the neg-roes in Carolina. 

Colleg"e in Princeton, New Jersey, founded. 

173S The inhabitants of New Jersey amounted 

to 47,379. 

1740 General Oglethorpe makes an unsuccess- 
ful expedition against St. Augustine. 

1742 The Spaniards invade Georgia, but by a 
stratagem of general Oglethrope, are forced 
to leave the country. 

— — Massachusetts contained one hundred and 
sixty-four thousand inhabitants. 

- The number of inhabitants in Boston 
amounted to eighteen thousand. 

The Library company of Philadelphia in- 
corporated, about ten years after the first 
association of its members. 

1744 War declared by Great Britain against 
France. 

Canso taken by the French. 

1745 Louisbourg, in the island of Cape Breton, 
taken by the New Englanders. 

The culture of indigo in Carolina commen- 
ced. 

— — The people of New Jersey amounted to 
61,403. 

1746 An expedition against Canada projected 
by governor Shirley, but was not put in ex- 
ecution. 

A large fleet is sent by the French to Nova 

Scotia, for the purpose of co-operating in a 
projected conquest of New England; but 
meeting with disasters it is forced to return 
to France. 

- Fort Massachusetts taken by the French. 

1747 An expedition from Massachusetts, against 



4 



18 



the French at IVIinas, was surprised and 
forced to surrender. 

1747 The fort at Number Four bravely defended 
by captain Phineas Stevens with a company 
of thirty six men against a large party of 
French and Indians, who were forced to re- 
tire. 

- A great tumult occasioned in Boston by the 
impressment of some of its inhabitants, by 
the order of the commodore of the British 
fleet in the port. 

1748 Peace betv/een England and France. 

1749 The Ohio company formed. 

Grants made in Vermont by the governor 

of New-Hampshire. 

1750 Hostilities between the English and French 
colonies commence in Nova Scotia. 

4317 Germans and 1000 British and Irish 

this year imported into Pennsylvania. 

1750 The number of inhabitants this year in 
New England amounted to 354,000 

1751 The inhabitants of Philadelphia amounted 
to 17,000. 

1752 The charter of Georgia surrendered to the 
king. 

- The New style adopted in the American 
colonies. 

1752 The taxable inhabitants of Pennsylvania 
amounted to 22,000. 

Dreadful hurricane at Charleston in South 

Carolina, accompanied by a flood, which 
rose ten feet above high water mark of the 
highest tides. 

The Pennsylvania Hospital founded. 

-'■^— Franklin's electrical discoveries. 



'W^t* 



19 



ITSo Fort Dii Qiiesne, now Pittsburg, in Penii- 
sylvania, built by the French. 

Disputes between the governor of Virginia, 

and the commanding officer of the Frencli 
on the Ohio. 

The University of Pennsylvania founded. 

1754 Washington is sent with a regiment, to 
prevent the incroachments of the French. 

A party of French surprised and taken by 

Washington. 

-: — Washington is obliged to surrender the 
fort under his command to a superior French 
force. 

A plan of Union among all the colo- 
nies, and of a confederative government 
agreed to by delegates from all the colonies 
but Connecticut, It was however rejected 
by the assemblies of the colonies, and by the 
king of England. 

* Columbia College, in New York, founded ; 

then called king's College. 

1755 General Braddock is sent to America with 
troops to act against the French. 

An expedition under the command of Co- 
lonel Monkton against the French in Nova 
Scotia. 

Braddock marches against fort Du Quesne. 

The British army under the command of 

Braddock is totally defeated, with the loss 
of 700 men. 

Baron Dieskau, a French commander, de- 
feats Colonel W'illiams, near Fort Edward, 

The French, under the command of Dies- 
kau, attack General Johnson encamped on 



20 



the banks of lake George, bvit are by him 
repulsed with considerable loss. 

1755 The French take possession of Ticonderoga 
and fortify it. 

Carlisle, in Pennsylvania, founded, 

— Maryland at this time contained 35,936 in- 
habitants ; and New England 436,936. 

1756 War declared against France by Great Bri- 
tain. 

— Montcalm, commander oif the French forc- 
es in Canada, takes the fort at Oswego, in 
which there were 1400 men. 

1757 A reinforcement of five thousand troops ar- 
rives at Halifax from England. 

— Montcalm takes fort AVilliam Henry, garri- 
soned by upwards of two thousand men. 

1758 The troops, in the American Colonies, un- 
der the command of General Abercrombie 
amounted to 50,000 men, of whom 22,000 
were regulars. 

—— Louisbourg taken by the English : it was 
garrisoned by about three thousand men. 

General Abercrombie repulsed in an at- 
tempt to storm Ticonderoga, with the loss 
of about two thousand men killed and wound- 
ed. 

Fort Fronteiiac taken by Colonel Brad- 
street. 

Major Grant defeated by the French and 

Indians near Fort Du Quesne, three hundred 
of his men were killed and taken prisoners. 

— Fort Du Quesne taken from the French by 
General Forbes. It was by him called fort 
Pitt. 

1759 Plan of campaign for the conquest of Ca- 
nada settled. 



21 



1739 Ticonderoga taken from the French by ge- 
neral Amherst. 

— Major Rogers surprises the principal vil- 
lage of the St. Fran<?ois Indians, and puts 
to death the greatest part of its inhabitants. 

— A battle takes place before fo?t Niagara, 
in which the French are defeated by Sir 
William Johnson ; to whom on the next day 
the fort surrendered. 

— General AVolfe arrives before Quebec. 
A detachment of the English is repulsed, 

in an attempt to approach Quebec by the 
Montmorency river. 

— The English gain possession of the heights 
of Abraham. 

Battle on the heights of Abx'aham; in which 

the French lost nearly two thousand men in 
killed, prisoners, and wounded, with their 
commander Montcalm. The English lost 
about five hundred in killed and wounded, 
with their commander Wolfe. 

— — Quebec surrenders to the English. It con- 

; tained at this time ten thousand souls. 

1 1760 The French under the command of M. de 
Levi attempt to retake Quebec. A battle 
. takes place near the town. The English 
are forced to retreat within the fortifica- 
tions. 

M. De Levi lays siege to Quebec, but by 

the arrival of an English fleet is obliged to 
retreat. 

Montreal, Detroit, Michilimackinac, and 

all Canada surrendered by M. de Vaudreuil 
to the English. 
.', f ■ Twenty one ships and a frigate, belonging 
J I to the French, destroyed in the bay of 



22 



Chaleur, on the coast of Acadie by Captain 
Byron 
l!r60 A war takes place with the Cherokee In- 
dians. 

Fort Loudon taken by the Cherokees. 

Tlie -inhabitants of New England amount- 
ed to upwards of five hundred thousand. 

17^61 The Cherokees defeated by Colonel Grant; 
upon which a peace is concluded. 

1762 Havannah taken by the English. 

1763 Treaty of Peace signed between France and 
England at Paris. By this treaty the Eng- 
lish obtain all Nova Scotia, Canada, the isl- 
and of Cape Breton, and all the other islands 
in thegulf of St Lawrence. 

The inliabitants of Pennsylvania, at this 

time, are supposed to have amounted to 
280,000. 

1764 Rhode Island college founded. 

1765 Stamp act passed by the British parliament. 

- The legislatures of the Several colonies 
pass resoliuions against the Stamp act. 

''~— A colonial congress meet in October. They 
petition the king, and send memorials to , 
both houses of parliament, for a redress of!, 
grievances. .j 

Tumults occasioned in Boston by the Stamp 

act. 

All the Stamp officers throughout the co- 
lonies are forced by the people to resign. 

- The merchants of New York enter into a 
non-importation agreement. Their exam-( 
pie is followed by those of Boston and Phila- 
delphia. 

Business transacted without stamps. 

1766 Stamp act repealed. 



23 



1T67 A duty Imposed by parliament on paper, 
glass, painters' colours, and teas imported 
into the colonies. 

An act passed by the British g-overnraent 

for restraining" the assembly of New York, 
until they comply with the act for quar- 
tering troops. 

— An act of parliament passed fop establish- 
ing a custom ho se in America. 

— The Farmer's letters published this year. 

1768 Circular letters, against the duties lately 
imposed, sent by Massachusetts to the other 
colonies. 

— The circular letter of Massachusetts gives 
great offence to the English ministers. The 
house of representatives of that colony are 
required to rescind the resolution, which 
authorised it, 

— Massachusetts refuses to rescind her reso- 
lutions. 

— Jii/y 10th. Great disturbances occasioned 
in Boston by the seizure of a vessel with a 
cargo of wine. 

. i ^v^. 4th. The governor of Massachusetts 
dissolves the general assembly. 

■ iSept. 22d. Convention meet at Boston. 

■ iSept. 28th. Two Bricish regiments arrive 
at Boston from Halifax. Great offence is 
given *othe inhabitants of the town, by their 
being quartered in the state house, and in 
other public buildings. The council also 
refuse to provide barracks for them. 

— — j\^ov. 10th. A reinforcement of troops ar- 
rives at Boston. 

1769 The parliament of Great Britain reprobates 



24 



the conduct of the colonies, and approves I 
the conduct of ministers towards them. | 

1769 May 16th. The house of Burgesses of Vir- 
ginia passes resolutions in assertion of the 
rights of the colonies. Upon this the gover-*^- 
nor prorogues it. ^ 

■ ■ The Non-importation agreement becomes'- 

general. 
— - The Massachusetts legislature refuses to 

make provision for quartering the troops. . 

On this the governor prorogues it to the lOtli 

of January. 
Philadelphia contained upwards of 30,000 ' 

inhabitants. 
' ' The American Philosophical Society insti-/ 

tuted. Its meetings to be held at Philadel- 
phia. 

— Dartmouth college, in New Hampshire, 
founded. 

1770 March 5th. Massacre at Boston. 

ApHl 22nd. The duties repealed, with the 

exception of three pence per pound on tea. 
This occasions an agreement not to make 
use of tea, until the duty thereon should be 
repealed. 

im Insurrection, in N. Carolina, of the regular 
tors. They are defeated by governor Try- 
on. 

— - The number of inhabitants in Massachu- ^ 
setts amounted to 292,000. Those in New 
York colony to 168,007. V 

— - The first volume of the transactions of the 
American Philosophical society, published. 

1772 The Gaspee armed schooner burnt, by the 
inhabitants of Providence, Rhode Island* 



h 



25 



1772 'J\'ov. 22nd. Committee of correspondence 
! establislied at Boston. 

1773 A Committee of correspondence appointed 
by the leg-islature of Virginia. 

— A great quantity of tea is sent over by the 
East India company. It is either sent back 
to England or destroyed. 

— The value of goods imported by the colo- 
nies amounted to about two millions ster- 
ling. 

— — The settlement of Kentucky commenced by 
Daniel Boon. 

1774 The Boston port bill, prohibiting the trade 
of this town altogether, passed by parlia- 
mentr^ 

— General Gage arrives at Boston as gover- 
nor. 

— A general congress is proposed by the 
house of burgesses of Virginia. 

— June 1. The Boston port bill carried into 
effect. The day of its commencement is ob- 
served in all the principal commercial towns, 
as a day of mourning. 

— Sept. 5th. The first continental congress 
meet at Philadelphia. 

— Large reinforcements of British troops ar- 
rive at Boston. 

—The provincial congress of Massachusetts 
take measures for the defence of the province. 
— The royal proclamation against the expor- 
tation of military stores, from Great Britain 
to America, occasions the inhabitants of 
Rhode Island and New Hampshire to seize 
on public stores. 

— - Battle between the Ohio Indians and Vir- 



I 



26 



g'inians, id which the latter lost four hun^ 

dred men killed, and one hundred vvoundedi 
1774 Franklin dismissed from the office of depu-; 

ty post master general in North America., 
1773 The petition of congress is refused a hear-- 

ing by parliament. 
A bill for restraining the trade of the colo-'. 

nies passed by parliament. j 

' Lord North's conciliatory bill rejected by,! 

the colonies. 

Feb. 2nd. The British Colonel Leslie is sentl 

to seize the military stores deposited in Sa-- 
lem ; but is forced to return without accom- 
plishing his object. 

.^pril 19th. Battle at Lexington between a 

detachment of British and Americans. The 
object of the British was to destroy the 
military stores collected at Concord; in 
which they succeeded. On their return to 
Boston, they were very much harrassed by'i 
the Americans The loss of the British was 
65 killed, 180 wounded and 28 prisoners. . 
The loss of the provincials or Americans 
was 50 killed, 34 wounded and 4 missing. 

' An army of upwards of twenty thousand 

Americans assembled near Boston. 

— — J\lai/ 5th. The provincial congress of Mas- 
sachusetts renounce the authority of gene- 
ral Gage. 

10th. Ticonderoga snrprised and taken 

by the Americans under the command of 
Colonels Allen and Arnold. 1' 

Crown Point taken from the British by 

Seth Warner. 

— — • The pass ai Skenesborough seized by a de- 
tachment of Connecticut volunteers. 



J 



Q.7 

i77b May 15th. Congress establishes a paper 
currency. 

I 25th. Generals Howe, Burg-oyne, and Clin- 
ton, arrive at Boston, from England, with a 
large reinforcement. 

June 14th. General Washington appointed 

commander in chief of the forces of the con- 
federated colonies, by the general congress. 

— June 17th. Battle of Breed^s or Banker's 
hill, in which the Americans afer having 
twice repulsed the attacks of the British, are 
forced to retreat over the Charlestown 
neck, for vv^nt of powder. The loss of the 
British was 226 killed, and 828 wounded ; 
the Americans had 139 killed, and 314 wound- 
ed and missing. 

— Lord Dunmore went on board the Fowey 
man of war. He several times landed with 
his people to destroy the military stores of 
the provincials. 

July 20th. First general fast recommended 

by Congress. 

— Georgia joins the confederation. 

— Congress establishes a post-office. 

— Benjamin Franklin, is unanimously chosen 
by them, post master general. 

— Sept. 25th. Colonel Allen taken prisoner by 
the British. 

— Oct. 18th. Falmouth in Massachusetts 
burnt, by Captain Mowat of the British 
Navy. 

— The invasion of Canada, by the provincials., 
determined. 

— • Fort Chamblee taken by general Montgo^ 
mery. 



28 

1775 General Carleton defeated by colonel W 
ner. 

Upon the departure of General Gage ■ 

England, the command of the British for( 
in America devolves on Sir William Hoa. 

JVov. 3d. The garrison of St. John's surrt 

ders to General Montgomery. 

9th. Colonel Arnold arrives before Qi 

bee, after a march of six weeks throu rl 
the wilderness. 

— - 12th. General Montgomery obtains posse- 
sion of Montreal. 

29th. Captain Manley, of Marblehes 

takes several English ships, with milita 
stores on board for the British army. . 
this time the American army was in t 
greatest want of these articles. 

— - Dec. 1st. Arnold joined by General Moi 
gomery. 

31st. An attempt is made to take Quebec r • 

storm , but the Americans are repulsed. G 
neral Montgomery is killed. The Amei • 
cans lost 100 killed and wounded, and 3C 
prisoners. 

— — Congress resolves to build thirteen frigate 

Peyton Rardolph, first president of Co^j 

gress, died 

1776 Jan. 1st. Norfolk in Virginia burnt, by tl 
British. 

' Feb. The number of effective regulars ( 
the Americans in the vicinity of Bostoi 
amounted to about fourteen thousand mei 

27th Royalists defeated in North Carolin 

— — An American squadron, under the comman 
of commodore Hopkins, takes possession r. 
New Providence, in the Bahama Islands. 



29 

776 March iih. Dorchester Heights, command- 
ing the harbour of Boston, taken possession 
of by the Americans. 

— 17th. The British evacuate Boston, with 
about 8000 land troops, and 2000 sailors 
and marines. 

- — April 14th. General Washington establish- 
es his head-quarters at New-York. 

May 5th. The Americans raise the siege 

of Quebec, and, by the 18th of June, are 
forced to evacuate Canada. 

8th. The Roebuck and Liverpool British 

frigates driven out of the Delaware by the 
row-gallies, after a severe engagement. 

— 15th. Congress abolishes the authority of 
Great Britain over the Cojonies. 

— Fort Cedars surrendered to the British, 
— * Jiine, Admiral and General Howe are sent 

against New- York, vested with powers for 
restoring peace. 

Jult/ 2d. The present constitution of New- 
Jersey adopted. 

— 4th. The Independence of the Colonies is 
declared by Congress. 

— 5th. The present Constitution of Virginia 
adopted. 

-— 28tli. The British fleet repulsed in an at- 
tack on Sullivan's Island ; which puts an 
end to the projected expedition of the Bri» 
tish against the southern colonies. 

— ^M^. 14th. The present constitution of 
Maryland adopted. 

— 22d. The British army, 24,000 strong, 
landed on Long Island. 

— 27th. The battle of Flatbush, on Long 
Island, in which the Americans are routedk 

C 



^9 

with the loss of upwards of 1000 men. Tm 
British lost about 400. 
1776 Mig. 30th. The Americans make an able-: 
retreat from Long Island. 

Sept. 14th. New-York evacuated by the^ 

Americans, when the British take posses-, 
sion of it. 

-- — The colonies first styled United States, 

by a resolution of Congress. 
— — Great fire in New-York, which consumed 

about 1000 houses. 
- — 26th. Commissioners sent by Congress ttfc 

France. 

Oct, I2th. General Arnold defeated, cm 

Lake Charaplain, by General Carleton. 

28th. Battle of White Plains. 

" -iAVj. 16th.* The British take Fort Wash- 

ington. The American garrison, amount- 
ing to 2000, surrenders prisoners of war. 
The British lost about 1000 men. 

.^. — 18th. The Americans evacuate Fort Lee.. 

28th. General Washington retreats, before 

the British, beyond the Delaware. 

-~— Dec. 8th. The British obtain possession 
of Rhode Island. 

.-— 12th. Congress adjourns to Baltimore, 
and invests General Washington with fuii. 
powers for conducting the war. Washing- 
ton's army, at this time, did not exceed! 
3000 men. 

-.^ — 13th. General Lee taken prisoner by tli^ 
British. I 

^ S6th. Battle of Trenton, in v/hich thr 

Hessian troops, in the British service, ar( 
surprised and defeated. About 900 of 
them arie taken prisoners 



ItTS 28th. Congress resolves to send commis- 
sioners to the courts of Vienna, Madrid, 
Prussia, and Tuscany. 

1777 Jan. 2d. General Washington having re- 
crossed the Delaware, takes possession of* 
Trenton; where he is attacked by a supe- 
rior British force. During the night Wash- 
ington skilfully extricates his army from 
its dangerous situation. 

3d. Battle near Princeton, in which the 

English are defeated with the loss of 100 
killed, and 300 taken prisoners. 

21,000 siand of arms, and 1000 barrels of 

powder, arrive in America from France. 

March 23d. Stores destroyed at Peek's 

Kiln by the British. 

- April 20. The present constitution of New> 
York adopted. 

26th. The British, under the command of 

General Tryon, destroy the stores collect- 
ed in D;inbury. 

J— . May 23J. Colonel Meigs destroys the Bri- 
tish stores at Sagg Harbour. 

"— July 6. General Burg-oyne, having march- 
ed with a considerable "force from Canada, 
takes Ticonderoga. 

— — Action at Huberton, in which the Ameri- 
cans, after a brave resistance, are forced to 
retreat, with the loss of about 324 in killed, 
wounded, and prisoners. The British lost 
in killed and wounded about 180 men. 

Aug, 6th. The American General Herki- 
mer defeated, with the loss of about 400 me;i. 

16th. Battle of Bennington, in which the 

American General Stark gains a complete 
victory. The British lose ubout 600 men.. 



32 

1711 The British General St. Leger is forced 
to raise the siege of Fort Schuyler. 

Sept. 11th. The Battle of Brandywine. 

The Americans are forced to retreat — theilr 
loss in killed was 300, in wounded 600, 
and about 300 taken prisoners. The British 
lost 100 killed, and 400 wounded. 

— 19th. Battle near Stillwater, with the Bri- 
tish under the command of General Bur- 
goyne. Neither party gains any decisive 
advantage. The Americans lost about 400, 
the British 600 men. 

— 20th. General Wayne surprised and de- 
feated, with the loss of about 300 men in 
killed, wounded, and prisoners. 

27th. The British General Howe takes 

possession of Philadelphia. 

— Oct. 4th. Battle of Germantown, in which 
the Americans, after having nearly succeed- 
ed in their object, were forced to retreat. 
Their loss was 200 killed, 600 wounded, 
and 400 prisoners. The British lost 100 
in killed, and 500 wounded. 

6ih. The British General Sir H. Clinton 

take Forts Clinton and Montgomery. 

— 7th. A second action takes place with the 
troops under command of Burgoyne? at 
Stillwater, in which the Americans ^ain 
the advantage. 

— 17th. The British General Burgo}T)e sur- 
renders his army, upwards of 5000 men, 
prisoners to General Gates. 

22d. The British repulsed in an attempt 

to storm Fort Mercer, on Red Bank, with 
the loss of 400 men. 

* J^oi) 16th. The British attack Fart Mif^ 

flin, on Mud island. 



S3 

Vftf Aov. 18th. The British take possession: ^' 
of Fort Mercer. % 

— — Dec, 18th. The constitution of North Ca- 
rolina adopted. 

— The paper currency of Congress was this 
year made a legal tender. 

1778 Feb. 6th. Treaty of commerce and alliance 

concluded between France and the United 

States. 
— - March. The American frigate Randolph, 

of 32 guns, blown up in an engagement 

with the Yarmouth of 64 guns. 

— June. The propositions of the commis- 
sioners, sent this year from England, are 
rejected by Congress. 

*— 18th. Philadelphia evacuated by the Bri» 
tish. 

— 28th. Battle of Monmouth — the advantage 
on the side of the Americans. The loss of 
the Americans was 69 killed, and 160 woun- 
ded ; that of the British was 358. Nearly 
1000 soldiers deserted the British in their 
march from Philadelphia across the Jer- 
sies. 

— A French fleet arrives on the coast of 
Virginia, consisting of 12 ships of the line 
and 6 frigates, with troops on board for 
the assistance of the Atnericans. 

— July 1st. Massacre of the Americans at 
Wyoming, by the Indians and Tories. 

— Aug. 29th. Battle on Rhode Island. The 
loss of the Americans was 211 ; that of the 
British 260. 

— Sept, 28th. Colonel Baylor's regiment sur* j 
prised by the British. ' 

-—^ Dec. 29th» The British take Satannabv 



1T79 March 3d. The American General Ash 
defeated at Briar Creek. 

— May 12ih. The British laysiege to Charles- 
ton, in South Carolina, which they are for- 
ced to raise. 

— June 20ih. The American General Lincoln 
attacks Stono, but does not succeed in gain- 
ing* possession of it. 

— July 5th. New -Haven plundered by the 
British 

rth. The towns of Fairfield and Green 

Farms burnt by the British. 

— July 16th. Stoney Point taken by General 
Wayne. 

— 19th. Major Lee surprises the British 
post at Paulus Hook. 

— 25th. An unsuccessful attempt made a- 
gainst the British post at Penobscot. 

^u^. 29th. General Sullivan defeats the 

Indians of theSix Nations. 

■ Sept. Count d'Estaign arrives, fr®m the 

West Indies, off the coast of Georgia, with 
a French fleet of 20 sail of the line. 

4— Sept. 23d. The Serapis and Countess of 
Scarborough, British frigates, taken by- 
Paul Jones, after a severe engagement. 

Oct. 4th. The batteries of the Americans 

opened upon Savannah, in Georgia, while 
the place is blockaded by the French fleet.- 

9th. An unsuccessful attempt made to 

storm Savannah, in which 637 French, and 
241 Americans were killed and wounded. 

— The number of troops and recruits sent by 
Great Britain to America, during this and 
the preceding year, amounted to 10,646 
men. 



33 

IfSO Sir Henry Clinton sails with a large expe- 
dition against South Carolina. . 

— March 2d. The present constitution or 
Massachusetts adopted. 

— 21st. Charleston, in South Carolina, be- 
sieged. 

— - April l^iih. The British surprise the Ame- 
rican cavalry near IMonk*s rorner. 

— May ^\\\. The American Academy of Fine 
Arts established by the Legislature of Mas- 
sachusetts. 

— 6th, Fort IMoultrie taken by the British. 
— — 12th. Charleston surrenders to the Bri- 
tish. 

19th. Remarkable darkness. 

— 29th. Colonel Bedford defeated, and his 
regiment cut to pieces, by the Britisli Co- 
lonel Tarleton. 

— June. Sir H. Clinton returns to New-York, 
leaving about 4000 men in Carolina, under 
the command of Lord Cornwallis. 

— 23d. An action takes place near Spring- 
field, in New-Jersey, in which the Ameri- 
cans are forced to retreat. 

— July\2\.\\. General Sumpter defeats a par- 
ty of royalists at Williamson's plantations. 

— Aug. 6th. The Prince of Wales's regiment: 
cut to pieces at Hanging Rock, by General 
Sumpter. 

— 16th. Battle of Camden, in which the 
Americans were defeated with considera- 
ble loss. 

— — Sept, 21. General Arnold's treacherous ne- 
gociations for the surrender of West Point 
to the British. The British x\djutant-Ge- 
neral Andre, employed iu the negociatiouj 



1 



S6 

18 takeo, upon which Arnold deserted to 
the British, and entered their service. 

1780 Oct. 2d, Major Andre executed. 

— 7th. Action at King's Mountain, in which 
the Americans defeat Major Ferguson, kill 
150 of his party, wound as many more, and 
take 810 prisoners. 

■ JVov. 12th. General Sumpter defeats Ma- 
jor Wemyss. 

•i^— 20th. Colonel Tarleton repulsed, in an at- 
tack on General Sumpter. 

— Major Talmage takes Fort George. 

— The British troops and recruits sent to 
North America and to the West Indies, 
this year, amounted to 10,237 men. The 
forces under General Clinton, at the close 
of the year, amounted to 19,153 men. 

1781 Ja7i. 1st. Revolt of the Pennsylvania line. 

John Adams appointed Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to the States General of Holland. 

17th. Battle of the Cowpens, in which the 

British are entirely defeated by General 
Morgan. The British lost about 300 in kill- 
ed and wounded, and 500 taken prisoners. 
The Americans lost only 12 killed, and 60 
wounded. 

March 1st. The Maryland delegates sign 

the articles of confederation. 

* 15th. Battle of Guilford, in which the A- 

mericans are forced to retreat. The Ame- 
ricans lost in killed and wounded 400 — the 
British about 600. 

— April 23d. Fort Watson taken by the A- 
* mericans. 

*-— 25th. Battle of Camden, in which the A- 
mericans are forced to retreat. 



'37 

1781 Ju7ie 5th. Fort Cornwallis taken by jthe 
Americans. 

- 18th. General Greene lays siege to Ninety 1 
Six, which he is obliged to raise. i 

— — Sept. 5th. Naval engagement between the '^\ 
French and English off the Capes of Virgi- |.{| 
nia, in which neither obtains a superiority ; 
but the French fleet, being reinforced by 
eight sail of the line, obtain the command 
of the Chesapeake Bay. 

— ; — 6th. New-London burnt by the British, 
under the command of Arnold. 

— — . 8th Battle of Eutaw Springs, in which 
the British are defeated, with the loss of 
upwards of 1000 men, in killed, wounded, 
and prisoners. 

14th. General Washington and Count Ro- 

chambeau reach Williamsburgh, where the 
plan of operations against Cornwallis is set- 
tled. 

- 30th. Yorktown invested. 

Oct. 9th. The French and American bat- 
teries opened. 

I4th. Two British redoubts taken. 

I6th. Cornwallis makes an unsuccessful 

attempt to escape from Yorktown. 

19th. Lord Cornwallis surrenders his ar- 
my to the Americans and French. The 
prisoners amounted to 7073 men. 

1782 Marcli 4th. Resolution of the House of 
Commons against carrying on the war in 
America. 

- JVIay 21st. General Wayne defeats a de- 
tachment of the British near Savannah. 

— ^ Oct, 8th. A treaty of amity and commerce 
C 2 



S8 



concluded between Holland and the United 
States, by John Adams. 

1782 JSTov. 5. The America, the first 74 gun 
ship built in the United States, launched 
at Portsmouth. 

— 30ih. Provisional articles of Peace agreed 
on. 

— Major-General Lee died this year. 

— The Bank of North America established 
this year. 

— The first edition of the Bible, in the Eng- 
lish language, printed in the United States. 

1783 The Independence of the United States i 
acknowledged by the powers of Europe, 
and treaties concltided with them, in the 
months of February, March, April, and 
July. 

Sept. 23d. The definitive Treaty of Peace 

signed between Great Britain and the Unit- 
ed States. 

— */Vwi». 3d. The American army disbanded » 

25th. New-York evacuated by the British. 

— Slavery abolished in Massachusetts. 

— ^ Lord Sterling, a major-general in the A- 
merican army, died. 

— The Society of Cincinnatus formed: 

— Dickenson College, in Pennsylvania, fouU" 
ded. 

1784 The first voyage from the United States, 
to Canton, in China. 

— By a census taken this year, in Massachu- 
setts, its inhabitants amounted to 357,510. 

Massachusetts Bank incorporated. 

-^ New- York Bank incorporated. 

St. John's College, at Annapolis, found- 
ed. 



39 

1TS4! Peale commences his museum. 

1785 July 6? August. A treaty of friendship and 
commerce concluded between Prussia and 
the United States. 

— University of Georgia founded. 

— Cokesbury College, in Maryland, founded, 

1786 Aug. 23d. A tornado in Connecticut, in- 
jures upwards of 10® buildings. 

— Sept. 2d. Insurrection takes place in Mas- 
sachusetts, by which the courts of justice 
are prevented from sitting. 

— 14th. The first meeting of the commis- 
sioners, in convention, at Annapolis, for 
the purpose of forming a Federal Consti- 
tution. 

— 20th. An insurrection in New-Hampshire, 
Its object was to force the legislature to 
adopt a system of paper-money. It was 
soon crushed. 

JVov. The Massachusetts insurgents, head- 
ed by Daniel Shays, prevent the judicial 
courts from sitting at Springfield. 

— The Massachusetts Legislature passes an 
act for establishing a mint. 

— Columbia, the seat of government of South 
Carolina, founded. 

The inhabitants of the state of New- York 

amounted to 238,897. 

— Major-General Greene died ; also, James 
Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia. 

1787 Jan. 25th. The Massachusetts insurgents 
are repulsed, in an attempt against Springs 
field, by General Shepard. 

— Feb. The insurgents surprised and dis- 
persed, by General Lincoln, at Petersham' 
hsgon after tranquillity is restored. 



4* ] 

116?' Sept IT. The Federal Constitution, form, 
ed by the Convention, assembled at Phila- 
delphia. 

— — Oct. 4th. Congress unanimously resolved, 
that the Federal Constitution should be 
transmitted to the several states for adop- 
tion. 

South Carolina cedes its western territory 

to the United States. 

1/88 The black cotton seed introduced into 

Georgia. 
1/89 March 3d. The first Congress of the Uni- \ 

ted Slates assembled at New-York. ! 

4th. George Washington inaugurated pre- 
sident, and John Adams vice-president of 
the United States. 

•^ Lucian's Dialogues, the first Greek book 

printed in America. 

University of North Carolina founded. 

1790 The first Census ofthe United States. The 

people amounted to 3,929,327. 

^^pril 17th. Dr. Benjamin Franklin died. 

Jlfay. The people inhabiting the district, 

ceded by North Carolina to the United 
States, receive a territorial constitution of 
government from Congress. 

29th. General Putnam died. 

An act passed by Congress for encoura- 
ging learning by copy-rights. 

<^ The present constitution of Pennsylvania 

adopted. 
A treaty of peace concluded with the 

Creek Indians. 

- The ship Columbia arrives at Boston, af- 
ter a voyage round the world. This ship, 



41 

accompanied by the sloop Washington, 
was the first American vessel that circum- 
navigated the globe. 
1/90 The present constitution of South Caroli- 
na adopted. 

— Sept. SO. General Harm ar defeated by the 
Indians, with the loss of 180 men. 

— Dec. 6th. Kentucky authorised to form an 
independent or stale constitution. 

— The publication of the Encyclopaedia com- 
menced by Dobson, in Philadelphia, and 
completed in successive numbers, forming 
tog^ether 18 large quarto volumes. 

1791 Feb. 18th. Vermont admitted into the 
Union as an independent state, and its pre- 
sent constitution adopted. 

March 3d, The Bank of the United States 

incorporated. 

— 3d. Congress establishes a mint at Phila- 
delphia. 

.Vov. 4th. St. Clair defeated by the In- 
dians^ with the loss of about 600 men kill- 
ed and missing, and upwards of 200 woun- 
ded. 

—— Washington City founded. 

1792 Jime 1st. Kentucky admitted into the 
Union. 

The present constitution of Delaware 

adopted. 

— The Pennsylvania, South Carolina, New- 
Hampshire, and Union (Boston) Banks es- 
tablished. 

— - The present constitution of New-Hamp* 

shire adopted. 
— — Henry Laurens died. 



1792 General Burgoyne died. 

1793 March 4th. George Washington a second 
time inaugurated president, and John A- 
dams vice-president, of the United States. 

' ^pril 29th. Proclamation of Neutrality is- 
sued by President Washington. 

683 vessels from foreign ports, and 1381 

coasting vessels, entered the port of New- 
York, during" the year. 

— — Above 4000 people die this year of the 
yellow fever, in Philadelphia. 

1794 March 27th. A naval armament fitted out, 
by order of Congress, against the Alge- 
rines. 

- ^u^. An insurrection takes place in the 
western part of Pennsylvania, on account of 
duties being laid on spirituous liquors dis- 
tilled in the country. 

— - A general embarg-o for 30 days, by order 
of Congress, on the shipping of the United 
States. 

— ^ — ^dug. 20th. The Indians defeated by Gene- 
ral Wayne. He lost 33 killed, and had 
about 100 wounded. The loss of the In- 
dians was at least double. 

. Oct. Tranquillity restored to the western 

part of Pennsylvania. 

— — J\^ov. 19. Treaty of commerce, between 
the United States and Great Britain, sign- 
ed at London. 

— — Greenville College, in Tennessee, founded. 

Union College, at Schenectady, founded. 

Dec. 9th. A treaty concluded, by the Uni- 
ted States, with the Six Nations of Indians. 

^— Major^GeneraU Sullivan gnd Steuben died. 



1795 Aug, A treaty of peace concluded, with 
the North- Western Indians, by General 
Wayne. 

Oct. A treaty concluded between the 

United States and Spain. 

— — jVot;. 28. A treaty of peace concluded be- 
tween the United States and Dey of Al- 
giers. 

General Marion died. 

1796 June 1st. Tennessee admitted into the 
Union as an independent state. 

20th. 300 houses burnt in Charleston, 

South Carolina. 

300,000 pair of shoes exported annually 

from Lynn, in Massachusetts. 

The supplies, necessary for carrying into 

effect the British treaty, granted by Con- 
gress. 

— — David Rittenhouse died. 

General Wayne died. 

Baltimore Library founded. 

1797 Jan, A treaty of peace concluded between 
the United States and Tripoli. 

— — J>/arc/i 4th. John Adams inaugurated pre- 
sident, and Thomas Jefferson vice-presi- 
dent, of the United States. 

June 5th. A new embassy sent to France, 

. July. Congress passes an act, declaring 

the existing treaties, between the United 
Suites and France, void. 

— - About 1000 people die of the yellow fever 
in Philadelphia. 

1798 May* An act passed by Congress for rais- 
ing a provisional army, to the command of 
which Washington is appointed. 

— — About 3000 people in Philadelphia, and 



)l 



1801 

I = 



1000 in New-York, die, this year, of the 
yellow fever. 
1^98 Transylvania University, in Kentucky, 
founded. 

1799 Feb. 10th. The American Commodore 
Truxton, commanding the Constellation, 
takes the French frig-ate Insurgente. 

— — March 26th. A treaty of peace concluded 
between the United States and Tunis. 

— — The seat of government of Pennsylvania, 
removed to Lancaster. 

— — Dec. 14th. George Washington died, aged 
68 years. 

1800 The seat of government of the United 
States removed to Washington. 

— i — The present constitution of Kentucky 
adopted. 

May 13th. The provisional army disband- 
ed by Congress. 

Sept* 30th. A treaty, between the United 

States and French Republic, signed at Paris. 

The second Census of the United States 

taken. The number of inhabitants amount- 
ed to 5,305,482. 

The government of Indiana Territory 

formed. 

1801 March4:\.\v. Thomas Jefferson inaugurated 
president, and Aaron Burr vice-president, 
of the United State-s. 

June 10th. War declared against Tripoli. 

200 newspaper establishments in the Uni- 
ted States. 

1802 The State of Ohio admitted into the 
Union. 

— — June 16th. A treaty concluded between 
the United States and Creek Indians. 



1802 July 20ih. Louisiana ceded to the French. 

Colonel Humphreys imported 100 Merino 

sheep from Spain. 

— — General Morgan died. 

1803 ^pnl30th. Louisiana purchased of France 
by the United States, for fifteen million 
of dollars. 

— — A treaty concluded with the Indians, at 
Fort Wayne, by which the United States 
obtain possession of about two million 
acres of land. 

Oct. 31st. The U. S. frigate Philadelphia, 

of 44 guns, struck on a rock in the harbour 
of Tripoli, and after resisting the attacks 
of the forts and gun-boats for four hours, 
was taken by the enemy. 

Samuel Adams died at Boston. 

1804 Feb. 16th. Seventy volunteers from the 
American Squadron, headed by Lieutenant 
Stephen Decatur, entered the harbour of 
Tripoli, and burnt the Philadelphia frigate. 

— — Aug. The gallant attack on Tripoli by the 
Americans, under the command of Commo- 
dore Preble. 

Major-General Schuyler died. 

— — Alexander Hamilton died. 

St. Mary's College, at Baltimore, incor* 

porated. 

1805 March 4th. Thomas Jefferson inaugurat- 
ed president, and George Clinton vice- 
president, of the United States. 

-*. — April 27th. General Eaton, with TO Ame- 
ricans and 300 Turks, attacked and took 
the city of Derne. 
— June. A treaty of peace concluded between 
the United States and th§ Bashaw of Tri- 
poli. 



46 

ISOo A treaty concluded at Fort Industry, with 

the Indians. 
— — The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts 

founded. 

Lord Cornwallis died. 

1806 Disputes between the Americans and 

Spaniards, respecting the boundaries of 

Louisiana. 
— — May. A great part of the French coast 

declared to be in a state of blockade by the 

English Government. 
— ^ — j\^ov. The Berlin decree of the Emperor of 

France, declaring the British islands in a 

state of blockade. 

1806 Major-General Gates died. 

1807 Jan. 27. Aaron Burr is arrested for a con- 
spiracy, the objects of which were stated 
to be the conquest of Mexico, and the se- 
paration of the Western States from the 
Union. 

— — Jane 22d. The American frigate Chesa- 
peake fired upon by the British frigate Leo- 
pard. In consequence of this, the President 
of the United States, by proclamation, 
prohibited British vessels from entering 
the harbours of the United States. 

— i— - JVov. 11th. The British orders in council, 
prohibiting the trade of neutral nations 
with France and her dependencies. 

— — Dec. irth. The Milan decrees of the Em- 
peror of France. 

22d. A general embargo law passed by 

CoHGfress. 

William Rose arrives in the United States 

as extraordinary ambassador from Eng- 
. land. 



K I 



47 

1808 Rose's embassy terminates, without pro- 
ducing' any arrangement between the two 
governments. 

1809 March 4th. James Madison inaugurated 
president, and George Clinton vice-presi- 
dent, of the United States. 

—— The embarji'o law repealed. 

— — April 12th. An act passed by congress for 
raising an additional military force of regu-r 
lars ; to consist of about 7000 men, and to 
serve five years. 

— — Jlpril 23d. Negociation concluded with 
the American government, by the British 
ambassador Erskine, which adjusted exist- 
ing differences. But the British ministry 
disavowed having authorised their ambas- 
sador so to act, and refused to approve of 
the arrangement. 

Francis J. Jackson arrives in the United 

S ates, and disavows Erskine's arrange- 
ment. 

— JVoX). F. J. Jackson dismissed by the Pre- 
sident. 

1810 By the Census taken this year the inhabi- 
tants of the United States amounted to 
7,239,903. 

ISll May. Rencontre between the U. S. frigate 
President and the British ship of war Lit- 
tle Belt. 

Sept. A tornado at Charleston, S. C. does 

considerable injury. 

' JVov. 7th. The Americans, under the com- 
mand of Governor Harrison, defeat a body 
of Indians near the Wabash. 

The territory of New-Orleans formed into 

a State, and called Louisiana. 



*8 

1812 Jan. 11th. An additional military force of 
25,000 men authorised by Congress. 

June 18th. War declared against Great 

Britain, by the United States. 

— 23d. British Orders in Council revoked* 
^ug. 13th. H. B. M. sloop of war Alert, 

of 20 guns, taken by the U. S. frigate Es- 
sex. 

•^ — 16th. The American force of about 2000 
men, under the command of General HuU^ 
surrenders to the British, at Detroit. 

—^ — 19th. The British frigate Guerriere, rating 
38 guns, captured by the American frigate 
Constitution, rating 44 guns, and comman- 
ded by Captain Hull. The British frigate 
had 16 men killed and 61 wounded, the i 
American 7 killed and 7 wounded. ' 

^— — Oct. 8th. The Detroit and Caledonia arm«. 
ed brigs cut out from under the guns of 
Fort Erie, by a detachment of volunteers 
under the command of Lieutenant Elliot, 
of the U. S. Navy. 

=.. 13th. Unsuccessful attack on the Bri- 
tish lines, at Queenstown, by the Ameri-^ 
cans. ■ 

„ 17th. TheBritishsloopof war Frolic cap. 

tured by the U. S. sloop of war Wasp. The 
two were soon after captured by the Poic- 
tiers of 74 guns. The Frolic had about 30 
killed and 50 wounded. 

1812 Oct. 25th The British frigate Macedo- 
nian, rating 38 guns, captured by the Ame- 
rican frigate United States, rating 44 guns, 
and commanded by Captain Decatur. The 
Macedonian had 36 men killed and 6S 
wounded* 



49 

1812 Dec. 29th. The British fri^te Java, of 58 
guns, captured by the American frigate 
Constitution, Commodore Bainbridge. The 
British frigate had 60 men killed, and 103 
wounded ; the American 9 killed and 25 
wounded. 

1813 Jan. 13th. General Winchester surprised 
and defeated by the British and Indians, at 
the river Raisin. The detachment under 
his command consisted of about 1000 men. 
The greater part of them were either killed, 
wounded, or taken prisoners. 

— — Feb. 23d. The British sloop of war Pea- 
cock, ef 18 guns, sunk, after an action of 
15 minutes, by the American sloop of war 
Hornet, Captain Lawrence. 

•— April 15th. Mobile taken by a detachment 
from the U. S. Army under the command 
of Major General Wilkinson. 

_—- 27th. York, in Upper Canada, taken by 
the American-s. The American General 
Pike killed. 

-«— May 16th. Messrs. Gallatin and Bayard, 
•commissioners to negociate with Great 
Britain, under the mediation of Russia, 
sailed from New-Castle, (Del.) 

— — 27th. Fort George, in Upper Canada, cap- 
tured by the Americans. 

— ^ 29th. The British attacked Sackets Har- 
hour, and were compelled to retire with 
great loss. 

w- — June 1st. The American frigate Chesapeak 
of 36 guns, captured by the British frigate 
Shannon, of 38 guns. Captain Lawrence, 
commander of the Chesapeak, killed. 



St) 

1813 J^ine 23^1. Admiral Cockburn attacked 
Craney Island, and was compelled to retire 
with great loss. 

»- — 24ih. Lieut. Col. Boerstler and 511 men 
taken by the British. 

25th. Hampton taken by Admiral Cock- 
burn. 

' Jlu^. 14th. The U. S. brig Argus, of 16 

guns, captured by the British sloop of war 
Pelican, of 18 guns. 

Sept. 4th. The British sloop of war Boxer 

captured by the U. S. brig Enterprize. 

' 10th. The British fleet on Lake Erie cap- 
tured by Commodore Perry. 

Oct. 5th. The British army, ander General 

Proctor, captured by General Harrison. 

^ JsTov. The American expedition against 

Montreal fails of success, 
t^ The Southern Indians defeated in several 

battles, by the Americans. 

- Dec. I7th. An act laying an Embargo on 
all ships and vessels in the ports and har- 
baurs of the United States, was passed by 
Congress. 

- 19th. Fort Niagara taken by the British. 
22d. Portsmouth. New-Hampshire, burnt. 

Between 3 and 400 houses were destroyed^ 

1814 Jan. 22d. Gen. Jackson defeats the Creek 
Indians, with considerable slaughter, near 
the Tala^)Oosa. 

27th. The Creek Indians repulsed in their 

attack on Fort Defiance, by the troops un- 
der Gen. Floyd. 

31st. The bill to prohibit the importation 

of certain articles of British merchandize: 
passed by the Senate of the United States. 



^1 

^^^14 Feb. 18. Commodore Rodgers arrived at 
New-York, in the United States frigate 
President, after having given a British 74 
an opportunity of battle, which was declin- 
ed, off Sandy-Hook Bay. 

— — 23d. The Hon. Messrs. Clay and Riissel, 
Commissioners to treat v/ith Great Britain, 
took their departure, at New-York, in the 
corvette John Adams, to join the American 
Commissioners previously sent to Gotten- 
burgh. 

r— - March, The number of public and private 
vessels, captured from the British by the 
Americans, from the commencement of the 
present war till this month, amounted 
to 84r, 

,p 4th. Captain Holmes, with a detachment 

of American troops, defeated a strong par- 
ty of British troops on the River de 
Franche. 

14th. A bill making appropriations for 

the support of the military establisliment 
of the United States for the year 1814, was 
passed hy the Senate. A bill providing 
for the support of the naval establishment 
for the year 1814, was passed by an miaiiU 
mo7ic vote, the same day. 
— I9ih. A bill, authorising a Loan fur 
§25,000,000, passed the Senate. 

' 26th. A bill for the indemnification of the 

Yazoo Claimants, was passed. 

31st. An action at La Cole, in which the 

Americans attacked the British strongly 
posted. But after the display of much bra- 
very, the former were forced to retire, 
yithout haviv-g dislodged their enemy. 



5% 

1814 March ^7ih. GeneralJackson defeats ai 
disperses the Creek Indians, with gre 
slaughter. 

.—— ^pril 12th. The bill to repeal the " Act h 
ing an Embargo on all Ships and vessels 
the ports and harbours of the United Stat< 
and so much of any Act or Acts, as prol 
bits the importation of goods, wares ai 
merchandize, of the growth, produce, 
manufacture of Great Britain or Ireland, 
any of the dependencies thereof," is p^ 
sed. 

t— — 16th. The frigate Constitution arrivi 
at Marblehead, after being chased by t\ 
British frigates. 

« 22d. The British officers, who were he 

. as hostages for the safety of the Americi 
officers confined in Canada, were orders 
to be liberated on parole, in consequenc 
of the British government having release 
the Americans. 

May 2d. The sentence against Gener 

Hull this day promulgated^ 



Tim EjYb. 



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